Francophonie pledges support for DR Congo

Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA) - The International Francophonie Organization (OIF) on Wednesday reiterated its "total readiness" to support DR Congo's development efforts.

OIF Secretary-General, Abdou Diouf, noted that DR Congo was endowed with talents and resources which should make it play a major role within the Francophonie space and around the world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 37th session of the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly (APF) in Kinshasa, he said the DRC capital would host the 14th summit of heads of state and government of member countries of the organization in 2012.

"Francophonie owes this to the Africans, in particular to the Congolese, who have suffered so much over the past few years, to these millions of victims, to the thousands of displaced people, to all women hurt in their dignity and flesh, to these youth which virtually experienced nothing but the noise of weapons, death and desolation," Mr. Diouf declared.

"OIF also owes it to these courageous people who have taken with pride, hope and ambition, under the leadership of President Joseph Kabila Kabange, the windy road of reconstruction, stability and peace," he added.
-0- PANA KON/AAS/PAP/MA 6July2011